n Voorhis made caused me to deem you indifferent
in such matters."

"No doubt," he said, dryly. "If one does not subscribe to the creeds,
he is written down a heretic. I have laughed at folly, and so have won
the reputation of being an unbeliever. Yet, Wayland, if we ride forth
to a savage death to-morrow, no one will meet it with more faith in
Christ than I. The years indeed have not left me spotless, but I have
never wavered from the great truths my mother taught me. I know not
the future, lad, but I believe there is ever mercy for the penitent."

In an instant my own thought spanned the leagues of forest to my
distant home; and I choked back a sob within my throat.

"It is our mothers' love that makes us all better men," I said gravely.
"And whatever may befall us upon the morrow, that God of whom they
taught us will be true."

"The words are spoken in the right spirit," he returned, soberly, "and
have the soldier ring I like best to hear. If it chance that we both
come forth from this venture in life, I should be most glad to know you
better."

I was deeply touched by his open, manly spirit, and especially
impressed with his frank adherence to the Christian faith,--something
too uncommon in that day along the border.

"'T is rather my wish to begin friendship before that time of trial," I
said eagerly, and with extended hand. "We shall fight the better for
it when the hour for fighting comes; and if it be God's will to guide
us safely through the wilderness, a friendship thus cemented in peril
will have the strength of comradeship."

The young man's strong and thoughtful face lighted up; but his eyes
were resting upon the form of the sentry above us, and he did not speak.

"Ronan," I questioned, somewhat doubtfully, "I have long wished to ask
you the cause of the friction that apparently exists between Captain
Heald and the officers of this garrison; but have felt it none of my
business. I cannot but realize you are not in his good graces,
although he appears to me to be a brave and capable man."

"He is both," was the instant and manly reply; "for all that, he has
constantly turned for counsel in military matters to others than his
own officers,--why, I know not, unless he considered us unworthy of his
confidence. Instead of confiding his orders to us, and asking judgment
upon his plans, he has been swayed from the beginning by Indian advice;
and it is only natural for us to resent such unjust an